John Toperzer: Why Sidney Crosby should play in the KHL Evgeni Malkin's KHL debut Thursday opens eyes and possibilities of what could be

I can't agree with this at all John, but that's just me.

I foresee no name Dmitri Kavalabanov deciding the best way of getting his name out there is to run Sid into the boards head first. It's just not worth the risk.

I can't agree with this at all John, but that's just me.

I foresee no name Dmitri Kavalabanov deciding the best way of getting his name out there is to run Sid into the boards head first. It's just not worth the risk.
- canadianpenfan

I tend to agree with you.

First time he played against Vityaz Chekhov his career would be ended by a cheap shot.

John, I think you might get roasted on the style of play, but I agree with you (well, I agree with the style that you are describing - I haven't watched, but I love the open ice/creativity which is so often muted in the NHL).

First time he played against Vityaz Chekhov his career would be ended by a cheap shot.
- AdamFrench

Don't know who this is but it's exactly what I mean. Nobody is going to stand around admiring the fact their sharing the ice with Crosby.

So the Pens blogger is on record that the KHL (and the big ice in general?) offers a better style of play than the NHL. Interesting. Does anyone have a good source for streaming KHL games?

Don't know who this is but it's exactly what I mean. Nobody is going to stand around admiring the fact their sharing the ice with Crosby.
- canadianpenfan

They're a team based solely on goonery. Had over 500 penalty minutes combined on the team and had a guy officially expelled from the league.

http://eliteprospects.com...1&year0=2012&status=stats

I wouldn't put it past them to injure the best player in the world.

They're a team based solely on goonery. Had over 500 penalty minutes combined on the team and had a guy officially expelled from the league.

http://eliteprospects.com...1&year0=2012&status=stats

I wouldn't put it past them to injure the best player in the world.
- AdamFrench

We know where Cooke is going to play during the lockout.

Watched a couple of KHL games in Moscow two years ago. The fact that the league is mentioned in the same breath as the NHL is a stretch; other than salaries, and now with NHL players, there is little similarity other than it being a form of hockey.

There is probably the same amount of hitting and defence as an All-Star game.

If you guys want to watch some KHL featuring Ovie debut.

http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-4/4/110/v-451184.html

edit: they switched to soccer, try this instead

http://www.oleoletv.to/wa...amo-moscow-dynamo-mn.html

I can't agree with this at all John, but that's just me.

I foresee no name Dmitri Kavalabanov deciding the best way of getting his name out there is to run Sid into the boards head first. It's just not worth the risk.
- canadianpenfan

That's my thoughts. I'm not really scared about any other Canadian player or American player for that matter, but something about taking out the face of the NHL comes to mind.

I think the Swiss league would be a better spot.

Hypothetically someone ends Crosby's career, does that guy get blackballed in the NHL?

I can't agree with this at all John, but that's just me.

I foresee no name Dmitri Kavalabanov deciding the best way of getting his name out there is to run Sid into the boards head first. It's just not worth the risk.
- canadianpenfan

Ain't gonna happen. Dmitri Kavalabanov would have to catch Sidney Crosby. Plus, there's little hitting, which is part of my point.

First time he played against Vityaz Chekhov his career would be ended by a cheap shot.
- AdamFrench

I have a feeling that as the NHL'ers trickle over to the KHL players like Tarnasky, Mirasty, Kip Brennan an Yablonsky will find themselves going back to their day jobs as garbage men and janitors.

Ain't gonna happen. Dmitri Kavalabanov would have to catch Sidney Crosby. Plus, there's little hitting, which is part of my point.
- the-mitch-wilsons

Don't hard to catch players when the play is dead.

Ain't gonna happen. Dmitri Kavalabanov would have to catch Sidney Crosby. Plus, there's little hitting, which is part of my point.
- the-mitch-wilsons

He doesn't have to catch him when Sid is facing the boards trying to corral a loose puck.

Let me put it this way....

"If" he was cheapshotted and his career ended would you be happy that the last time you saw him play was in Russia?

I wouldn't.

The Score
‎NHL POLL: Vancouver Canucks C Ryan Kesler has been identified as the biggest DIVER in the league by fellow hockey players.

The Score
‎NHL POLL: Vancouver Canucks C Ryan Kesler has been identified as the biggest DIVER in the league by fellow hockey players.
- TheFondler

No surprise there....he should play soccer during the lockout, he'd fit right in

The Score
‎NHL POLL: Vancouver Canucks C Ryan Kesler has been identified as the biggest DIVER in the league by fellow hockey players.
- TheFondler

Crosby has to be right there. But do you blame Crosby, or the refs? I blame 20/80%, respectively.

Not sure why Crosby would need to play overseas?

Money? No
Improve his skills? He's already in/near top in the world - No.
Stay in shape? Really.

Take it from a Flyers fan - (Gagne, Primeau, Lindros, Pronger, etc. etc.) - less is more here.

Crosby has to be right there. But do you blame Crosby, or the refs? I blame 20/80%, respectively.

Not sure why Crosby would need to play overseas?

Money? No
Improve his skills? He's already in/near top in the world - No.
Stay in shape? Really.

Take it from a Flyers fan - (Gagne, Primeau, Lindros, Pronger, etc. etc.) - less is more here.
- Daman

Pretty much agree with this. He has to represent the resistance.

Crosby has to be right there. But do you blame Crosby, or the refs? I blame 20/80%, respectively.

Not sure why Crosby would need to play overseas?

Money? No
Improve his skills? He's already in/near top in the world - No.
Stay in shape? Really.

Take it from a Flyers fan - (Gagne, Primeau, Lindros, Pronger, etc. etc.) - less is more here.
- Daman

I agree with you 100%. Too big a risk for too little a reward. Hopefully the lockout doesn't last that long.

I honestly dont care if Crosby plays somewhere else. Thats his decision. I'd prefer him not to, but its his decision.

They're a team based solely on goonery. Had over 500 penalty minutes combined on the team and had a guy officially expelled from the league.

http://eliteprospects.com...1&year0=2012&status=stats

I wouldn't put it past them to injure the best player in the world.
- AdamFrench

Kip Brennan 14gp 240PIM